Breast Augmentation

Plump Up the Volume

Patients, both international and from Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia looking for breast augmentation with saline or silicone breast implants come to our practice seeking advice as to the best implant type or approach.

After an individualized consultation, our Washington DC breast augmentation specialists are able to come up with a surgery that will produce the most natural appearing enhancement.

Reasons for Considering a Breast Augmentation

• Enhance body shape if breasts are too small
• Equalize a difference in breast size
• Increase breast volume after pregnancy and nursing
• Reconstruct breasts following a mastectomy or injury

General Procedure

During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle.  Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman’s breast size by one or more bra cup sizes.

Implants typically contain a saline solution (similar to saltwater) although in special cases the implants can contain a silicone gel.

In some circumstances, particularly those in which there is breast asymmetry (uneven breast size), an inflatable implant may be used to allow the surgeon to adjust the level of inflation to attain breast symmetry and balance.

Surgery typically lasts from one-to-three hours. This procedure can also be done in conjunction with other procedures such as a breast lift or the mommy makeover in order to help contour the body to fit the desires of the patient.

Incisions & Surgical Placement Locations

There are several possible locations that our Washington DC breast augmentation specialists use for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the lower portion of the breast, near the breast fold.

Another technique, though less frequently used, involves making an incision in the armpit. A third technique makes an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). A newer technique uses an incision in the belly button, thus reducing the chance of scarring in the breast area.

The best technique will be decided together between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation. Our office sells Laser Treatments and BioCorneum to help reduce the appearance of the scar.

The Keller Funnel

The keller funnel is used during each breast augmentation surgery to:

• Decrease the risk of capsular contractures
• Decrease size of incision
• Decrease risk of infection

Recovery Process

• Take a week or two off
• Physical contact with breasts: 3 – 4 weeks
• Fading of scars: Several months to a year or more
• Temporary soreness, swelling, bruising

Implant Types

Silicone

Since the reintroduction of silicone breast implants for cosmetic use, our Washington DC and McLean breast augmentation patients have increased choices to make, and during our consultations we will guide the patient toward the most appropriate implant.

In general several advantages of silicone include a more natural feel as compared to saline implant.

Saline

Saline implants remain a popular choice with our patients.  They are time tested and have been for years the only choice available for cosmetic breast enhancement in the United States.

They are chosen today for several advantages that they retain, namely.

• No need for post surgical follow up imaging with MRI (a condition of silicone implants)
• The implants are less costly than silicone
• The implants can be placed via a smaller incision since they are filled in the body.